Stay Calm
Your pet reads your stress. Speak softly, move deliberately, and breathe. A calmer environment makes everything easier, including transport.
Be Prepared. Stay Calm.
Pet Emergency Tips. What Every Pet Owner Should Know.
A practical guide to preparing for, recognizing, and responding to pet emergencies. From the team at Fort Lauderdale's independently owned emergency veterinary hospital.
Pet first aid basics
What to keep in a kit
South Florida prep
When to call us. Always.
Practical Guide
First minutes matter
What to Do in the First Minutes of a Pet Emergency.
In an emergency, what you do in the first few minutes can shape the next few hours. The most important thing is to stay calm, keep your pet calm, and get on the path to professional care.
Call Us On the Way
If you are bringing your pet in, call (954) 772-0420 while someone else drives, or before you leave. Letting us know you are coming and what is happening lets our team prepare for arrival.
Bring Information If You Can
A list of medications your pet is on. Anything they may have eaten or gotten into, including packaging. Recent records from your primary vet if you have them. Do not delay coming in to gather these. They are nice-to-haves, not requirements.
Avoid Internet Self-Diagnosis
Search results often include conflicting advice and can intensify panic without helping your pet. Trust what you are seeing in front of you, call us, and let us help guide the next step.
First aid kit
What to Keep in a Pet First Aid Kit.
A well-stocked pet first aid kit can help you stabilize a situation while you are getting your pet to professional care. Most of these supplies fit in a small box or bag and last for years.
Bandaging & Wound Care
- Sterile gauze pads and rolls
- Self-adhering veterinary wrap (such as VetWrap)
- Adhesive tape (cloth or paper)
- Clean towels
- Antiseptic wipes (chlorhexidine or saline)
Tools
- Blunt-tip scissors
- Tweezers
- Digital thermometer (rectal use, with lubricant)
- Pen flashlight
- Disposable gloves
Comfort & Restraint
- Soft muzzle (even friendly pets may bite when in pain)
- Leash
- Carrier or sturdy box for transport
- Blanket or towel for restraint and warmth
Documents & Reference
- Copy of your pet's vaccination records
- Current medication list
- Phone number for Pet Emergency Center: (954) 772-0420
- Phone number for ASPCA Animal Poison Control: (888) 426-4435
A note on medications: Do not include human medications in your pet first aid kit. Many human medications, including common pain relievers, are toxic to pets. Always call us before giving your pet any medication you have at home.
Household toxins
Common Household Toxins. What to Keep Away From Your Pet.
Many of the most common pet poisonings happen at home, with substances most pet owners do not realize are dangerous. Knowing what to keep out of reach can prevent an emergency before it starts.
In the Kitchen
- Chocolate (especially dark chocolate)
- Xylitol (artificial sweetener in gum, candy, peanut butter, baked goods)
- Grapes and raisins
- Onions, garlic, leeks, chives
- Macadamia nuts
- Caffeine and coffee
- Alcohol
- Raw bread dough
In the Medicine Cabinet
- Acetaminophen (extremely toxic to cats)
- Ibuprofen and naproxen
- Antidepressants
- ADHD medications
- Many prescription medications generally
Around the House & Yard
- Lilies (extremely toxic to cats, even pollen exposure can be fatal)
- Sago palm
- Antifreeze (sweet taste, highly toxic)
- Rodent bait and traps
- Slug and snail bait
- Many fertilizers and herbicides
If you suspect your pet has ingested any of these, call us at (954) 772-0420 or contact ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435. Do not wait for symptoms to appear.
South Florida specifics
South Florida Specific Risks and How to Prepare.
Living in South Florida means certain risks come with the territory. A little advance preparation can prevent a lot of emergencies.
Heat
South Florida heat is dangerous to pets year-round. Avoid walks during peak afternoon hours. Never leave a pet in a parked car, even briefly. Always provide shade and fresh water outdoors. Brachycephalic breeds (pugs, bulldogs, Persian cats) overheat especially fast.
Cane Toads
Cane toads (Bufo toads) are common in South Florida and their toxin can be fatal to dogs. Inspect your yard at dusk and dawn when they are most active. If your pet has had contact with one, rinse their mouth with running water immediately and call us.
Hurricane Season
Pet hurricane preparedness should be part of every South Florida household plan. Keep at least a week supply of food and medication on hand. Have a sturdy carrier ready. Identify pet-friendly shelters in advance. Make sure your pet ID and microchip information is current.
Pool Safety
Pools are a year-round drowning risk for pets. Even pets that swim well can struggle to find pool exits. Teach your pet where the steps are. Consider a pet-safety pool alarm or fence.
Wildlife Encounters
South Florida wildlife includes alligators, raccoons, opossums, and venomous snakes. Keep pets leashed near water or in unfamiliar terrain. If your pet is bitten by wildlife, come in immediately, even if the wound looks small.
When to call us
When to Call Us, Even If You Are Not Sure.
We get this question often: how do I know if it is an emergency? Here is the simplest answer we can give you.
If you are wondering whether to call us, that is your answer. Call us.
A two-minute phone call costs nothing. Walking your pet through a serious situation alone can cost everything. Call (954) 772-0420 any time we are open, or book a $75 telehealth consultation if you would prefer to assess together over video.
Compassionate care. Always Here.
Be Prepared. Stay Calm. Call Us When It Matters.
When something goes wrong with your pet, you do not have to figure it out alone. We are open weeknights 5 PM to 8 AM, and 24/7 on weekends and holidays.
Pet Emergency Center
921 East Cypress Creek Rd.
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33334
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33334
Weeknights 5:00 PM to 8:00 AM
Weekends & Holidays Open 24/7
Weekends & Holidays Open 24/7